Go Lake Havasu Visitors Center Hosts Celebration of ‘Pancake The Burro’ Children’s Book Anniversary

By Janet Cruz

Go Lake Havasu Visitors Center hosted a celebration of Pancake’s first birthday, the character of a children’s book that details the history of Lake Havasu City through the world of a burro and his grandmother or “abuela” on Saturday morning at the English village.

The children’s book titled “Pancake A Very Curious Burro in Lake Havasu” launched last year. To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the launch, the community was invited to a special party and were treated to an appearance of live burros from HavaZoo petting zoo located in Havasu Heights.

Author Deborah Porter said her idea came after she thought it would be fun to have the story of the history of Lake Havasu told through a silly burro and his grandmother. The illustrations were the creation of her grandson Zander Cabinaw.

“When I first did the book launch, I donated it to the Go Lake Havasu Visitors Center. I wanted them to reap the benefits of it,” Porter said. “It’s turning out to be a great little marketing tool. One person purchased the book to take it back with them to Minnesota … to their grandkids and that’s kind of what I envisioned this book to do.

“I even heard one little story about another person who purchased the book and took it to their grandkids and now its on their bucket list to come visit Lake Havasu City.”

Families were treated to cupcakes, drinks, games with prizes including Pin the Tail, Face Painting and even a live reading of the book which included Pancake played by Marty Waychoff, and his Abuela played by Marge Snyder.

“It’s just fun to see the community come out and enjoy themselves, it’s something that parents were able to come out to and interact with their kids,” Porter said.

For more information, or to purchase the book which includes a plush toy, visit the Go Lake Havasu Visitors Center located at 422 English Village, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403.